We are living in the 21st century and the world still hasn’t learned to respect women who can be mothers, leaders and so much more at the same time.
Case in point: Buffy Wicks, a lawmaker from California, who gave birth in late July and whose request to vote by proxy was denied by Assembly Speaker, despite Covid-19 concerns.
Yep, I’m here! (And so is Elly) https://t.co/XPfls9RVk9 pic.twitter.com/JxM6g4CsTn
— Buffy Wicks (@BuffyWicks) August 31, 2020
Apparently, according to the Speaker, having a newborn baby wasn’t a reason good enough to vote by proxy.
So, Wicks decided to drive from Oakland to Sacramento with her baby to vote on a critical eviction legislation and shut all the mouths who thought that motherhood and career can’t go together.
Buffy Wicks, a California Assemblywoman from Oakland, was told that having a newborn wasn’t a good enough excuse to vote by proxy due to Covid-19 concerns.
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) September 1, 2020
So she drove from Oakland to Sacramento with her baby to vote on critical eviction legislation.https://t.co/kjj0Mzbikn pic.twitter.com/HjmkieVwDt
Speaking on the floor of the House, she said:
I was actually in the middle of feeding my daughter when this bill came up. And I ran down on the floor today because I strongly believe we need to pass this bill. And Elly (her child) agrees that we absolutely need to pass this bill. And I’m going to go finish feeding my daughter.
2. Here’s the video of California Assemblywoman @BuffyWicks speaking on the floor of the legislature after she was denied the right to vote by proxy. Apparently having a newborn baby isn’t enough of an excuse during a pandemic. pic.twitter.com/gN4L9sdNMX
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) September 1, 2020
Netizens are hailing Buffy Wicks for the badass Mom and determined leader, that she is.
@BuffyWicks is a damn hero for this… and to hell with those who put her and her child at risk for politics. https://t.co/5JamQd2nXK
— Chris Blue (@makeminegeek) September 2, 2020
When you try to use the fact that a woman is also a mother and it backfires. https://t.co/C3bjzMXsGI
— Rogue Raccoon (@RogueRaccoonus) September 2, 2020
This is some fucked up shit. When will women ever be respected? https://t.co/hSjFv3lwIv
— 🌈Zoe Britton🌈 (@zoebritton) September 2, 2020
WTAF. And in a solidly blue state. With one of the best parental leave programs by US standards. SMH. https://t.co/aBgJb15Zyr
— Anusha Sethuraman (@nushsethu) September 2, 2020
Fuck the patriarchy. https://t.co/bVF9LM5xHC
— Saara Kulta (@moominlibrarian) September 2, 2020
Moms are seriously the most badass. 💪 @BuffyWicks 👏 👏 👏 https://t.co/mRrNTW3O5N
— Becca Chambers😷 (@BeccaPL) September 2, 2020
Do men know right that they came out of a woman? The disrespect men have toward women is something else. https://t.co/uohUjqJyT3
— No Longer Stanning NinaDobrev’s Fan Account (@ImOatMilkFarmer) September 2, 2020
She’s my local rep and she is awesome! https://t.co/ZDjiB0EEfp
— Laura Skinner (@lauracskinner) September 2, 2020
Atrocious. If a new mom representing the people can’t get a workplace accommodation, how do we expect companies to do so. https://t.co/ws9f9uqynN
— Vote Biden Harris to Save our Children (@AlexaZanolli) September 2, 2020
Unreal. I'm so thankful for strong women and their resilience to stand up this this patriarchy. https://t.co/TlwuNHJzK9
— Jennifer Sosh (@jennifer_alison) September 2, 2020
Reports suggest that she was denied proxy voting despite remote voting being allowed in the California State Senate, this Monday.
After outrage on social media, Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon issued an apology to Buffy Wicks, for denying her request to vote by proxy while on maternity leave.
3. Speaker of the California Assembly @Rendon63rd has issued an apology to Assemblywoman @BuffyWicks after her request to vote by proxy was denied and she was forced to drive to Sacramento with her newborn baby in order to vote on critical legislation. pic.twitter.com/X4K8zGJ75m
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) September 2, 2020
More power to her. We are in awe of women leaders like her who lead by example.